These four characters combine quite literally to paint a picture: someone who has seen a lot (见多) has therefore acquired broad knowledge (识广). The cause (seeing much) and effect (knowing broadly) are elegantly linked in one compact phrase.
In Chinese culture, wisdom gained through direct experience is often valued as highly as, if not more than, purely academic knowledge. 见多识广 (jiàn duō shí guǎng) perfectly encapsulates this value. It reflects the idea that true understanding comes from engaging with the world, observing different cultures, and navigating various life challenges. A good Western cultural comparison is the difference between being “book-smart” and “street-smart” or “worldly.” However, 见多识广 elegantly combines these concepts. It implies that a person has not only the “street smarts” from their experiences but has also synthesized these experiences into a broad and coherent worldview (“book smarts”). It’s a compliment often paid to respected elders, seasoned professionals, and extensive travelers, acknowledging that their perspective is deeper and more nuanced because of the sheer breadth of what they've witnessed in life.
This idiom is common in both spoken and written Chinese and carries a formal, respectful tone. It's a powerful compliment.